Warrick enacts a long forgotten practice of the Norlanian race. He kidnaps a Norlanian female and takes her to a wooing chamber to convince her they are mates. His chosen mate, Sloan is sterile female, and doctor. The two have known each other their whole lives and have admired each other from afar. At one point, Sloan was engaged to another male named, Nalek. But when it was revealed that Sloan was barren, Nalek broke the engagement. Sloan is defensive and upset and tries to convince Warrick that they can't mate because the consequences are too steep and she doesn't want Warrick to resent her down the line. Warrick finally convinces Sloan that he really does love her, and she soon gives into her love for him. Their bubble of love is popped, when four strange men break into the wooing chamber and take Sloan. They are then introduced to a new civilization of the ligaru, people that have rejected the soul-walk, and serums, and technology, and have embraces choosing their true soul-mates. Sloan and Warrick learn how their government had manipulated the Norlanian people about soul-mates, blue hair in males, and female infertility. Sloan and Warrick are asked to stay and start a new life with the ligaru, and to add their skills to the community. This book went in a different direction than the first, but expanded on some issues brought up with Paoli and Kate. I really enjoyed it.